I've discovered a strange thing about myself recently (among the many other strange things I already know about) and that is the fact I simply am not worried about my data.
I know. It's terrible.
Don't get me wrong - I'm absolutely terrified for other people's data. Hospitals, legal firms, the government (not the UK's but in general), banks (money is important) and such. But not my own.
I've tried hard to dig up something that could be used against me if stolen, imagine a blackmail scenario or the like - but the truth is I'm a truly boring person in this sense. I don't even watch porn. I don't know anything about the dark Internet (is there a website to access it? A secret passage like the one that accidentally leads you into Knockturn Alley?). I've never hired a hit man to kill an ex's current girlfriend while drunk - although kudos Rebecca Bunch - nor posted a repulsive tweet which I then deleted due to public backlash.
Nonetheless, I am not naive. I know there's probably stuff that, used the right (wrong) way could absolutely get me into trouble. It could ruin my career. It could hit back at my family. But it turns out I am also one of those people that genuinely thanks Google for sending me targeted ads, and for helping me find the right person when I'm looking for a very specific John Smith on LinkedIn. I actually marvel at this.
I don't really mind that a recruitment company, which has helped me land a very cool job very early on in a very specific area, still has my details and calls me up from time to time to check if I'm looking for a new place. I probably never will be in that area again, but it's still flattering.
On the other hand, I came across a scary concept at an event I recently attended at the FT, featuring one of my top three favourite authors - if you haven't yet, now is definitely the time to look up James Smythe - and FT innovation editor John Thornhill. A member of the audience raised the question of whether it's still possible to go completely under the radar. Disappear. Poof. Without a trace.
The simple answer from James was 'no'. He didn't even really have to think about it.
And this, I can believe. Even if we threw our phones and everything we owned into the sea, it would take years before we'd be declared dead. And even then, you may pass a Google Earth car by accident and you're back on their map. I don't believe there is a way for us to pretend that we've completely and utterly stopped existing. Our phones are always watching. Our webcams are too. Closing an app is more of a formality than anything (apparently it doesn't even save us battery). Just think of all the GDPR emails you've recently received from places you don't even remember visiting in the first place. Your data is everywhere. *cue ominous music*
On the other hand, it takes minutes to order Chinese because Just Eat already knows what you want. So, up to you, really.
I know. It's terrible.
Don't get me wrong - I'm absolutely terrified for other people's data. Hospitals, legal firms, the government (not the UK's but in general), banks (money is important) and such. But not my own.
I've tried hard to dig up something that could be used against me if stolen, imagine a blackmail scenario or the like - but the truth is I'm a truly boring person in this sense. I don't even watch porn. I don't know anything about the dark Internet (is there a website to access it? A secret passage like the one that accidentally leads you into Knockturn Alley?). I've never hired a hit man to kill an ex's current girlfriend while drunk - although kudos Rebecca Bunch - nor posted a repulsive tweet which I then deleted due to public backlash.
Nonetheless, I am not naive. I know there's probably stuff that, used the right (wrong) way could absolutely get me into trouble. It could ruin my career. It could hit back at my family. But it turns out I am also one of those people that genuinely thanks Google for sending me targeted ads, and for helping me find the right person when I'm looking for a very specific John Smith on LinkedIn. I actually marvel at this.
I don't really mind that a recruitment company, which has helped me land a very cool job very early on in a very specific area, still has my details and calls me up from time to time to check if I'm looking for a new place. I probably never will be in that area again, but it's still flattering.
On the other hand, I came across a scary concept at an event I recently attended at the FT, featuring one of my top three favourite authors - if you haven't yet, now is definitely the time to look up James Smythe - and FT innovation editor John Thornhill. A member of the audience raised the question of whether it's still possible to go completely under the radar. Disappear. Poof. Without a trace.
The simple answer from James was 'no'. He didn't even really have to think about it.
And this, I can believe. Even if we threw our phones and everything we owned into the sea, it would take years before we'd be declared dead. And even then, you may pass a Google Earth car by accident and you're back on their map. I don't believe there is a way for us to pretend that we've completely and utterly stopped existing. Our phones are always watching. Our webcams are too. Closing an app is more of a formality than anything (apparently it doesn't even save us battery). Just think of all the GDPR emails you've recently received from places you don't even remember visiting in the first place. Your data is everywhere. *cue ominous music*
On the other hand, it takes minutes to order Chinese because Just Eat already knows what you want. So, up to you, really.
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